Project Cheap Skate - Revision 1

Due to the controversy on how much hp costs to build on the cheap I've decided to take on a little science experiment. How cheap can I build 600+ hp for........

Parts I have collected so far

Used D1VE Block .030 over $50
Broke set of Bare Aluminum CJ's $240
Used rotating assembly L2443's, Truck Rods and Factory Crank $450

Additional plans call for a Mechanical Flat Tappet Cam, duraspark ignition and hopefully I'll be able to score a victor and dominator for the right price in the future.

Total to Date Cost $740

Stay Tuned......  

sweet deal Dave ...... will be tuning in

Dang it Dave, you're gonna make me have to take another road trip to TN t opeak through your stash of goodies again, aren't you? I'm waiting to see what you come up with. Hopefully I'll see what the d0ve headed verion will do pretty soon, since now it'll be about $3500 for the complete deal!

I've got a set of used intake gaskets...$2.79

Update.

Measured my Block and Found that its actually .060 (Never trust anyone Measure before you buy....) So Since I have Procured a set of .030 pistons, I'm going to have another Block that I have bored, So thats going to add a little more than I had hoped to the total. I paid the same amount for this Block and it came with some additional parts the build will need, Like Timing Cover, Balancer Sleeve, some bolts, Etc. So I will save something using this one even know I have to pay for some machine work.

Went thru my Stash and found some parts to use for the purpouses of the build. On used stuff I'll Figure 50% of new and on new stuff I figure typical Ebay / Summit pricing or as purchased if I still have it.

Additional Stuff as follows......

Used Set of Pushrods (Comp 3/8 .080) $50
Used Set of Roller Rockers & Poly Locks (Harlins) $100
Used Set of Guide Plates (Manley)$15
New Set of 930-16 Springs (Comp 930-16) $105
Used SFI Balancer (Power Products)$60
Used Timing Chain and Gears $35
New Set of Lifters (Comp Solids) $70
New Gasket Set (Ford Racing) $85
New Set of SS Valves (Ford Racing) $224
Used Head Studs (ARP 6 point) $60

Subtotal for this Bunch $804

Up to $1544 Total as of 3-15-2010

I think it is a great idea but it is already so skewed that it really has no value. Sorry, not trying to be a dick but you got a once in a lifetime on the heads. Based on the skill I believe you have you will be able to fix them with next to no investment (another rare case). Beside the know how I am sure you have a fine little selection of the proper tools and equipment to make it all happen as well. The ability and access to equipment of a few of the board members like yourself, Blake, Charlie (and I am sure a few more) doesn't really make for a fair comparison to something like 99% of the other members would have access too.

I think the idea is great and I will definitely be following just trying to point out the reality of it so please don't take my comments personally. They are meant with good intentions.

jasonf wrote:I think it is a great idea but it is already so skewed that it really has no value. Sorry, not trying to be a dick but you got a once in a lifetime on the heads. Based on the skill I believe you have you will be able to fix them with next to no investment (another rare case). Beside the know how I am sure you have a fine little selection of the proper tools and equipment to make it all happen as well. The ability and access to equipment of a few of the board members like yourself, Blake, Charlie (and I am sure a few more) doesn't really make for a fair comparison to something like 99% of the other members would have access too.

I think the idea is great and I will definitely be following just trying to point out the reality of it so please don't take my comments personally. They are meant with good intentions.

well i think he said..i am going to try and build a 600hp for cheap..the main thing is "HE" not you or me or joe blow down the road...you can take 5 people and build the exact same motor and have 5 different amounts of money in them

Nothing Bad Taken, But I happen to run accross deals all the time and that one wasn't a once in a life time...............Would you Rather me use the Iron CJ's I got for $250, that was an Ebay Deal Last Year or How about I port a set of DOVE's I can typical get those for well under $200 in good condition (I just did a set for Kjett), I also have a set of Edelbrocks that come off a car of mine? I just figured the Aluminum CJ's would be cool to recycle.

Only thing i posses that alot of people don't is the desire to learn and make things happen, my tool box is no better than most others on here, my access to machine work is the same as yours, You had the same oppertunity to purchase the CJ heads as I did. Plus I don't own any big equipment and in fact right now I'll be building this motor out of a storage unit. I don't even own a home right now (Apartment Living SUCKS).

Keep us posted

Just for reference, i'm figuring it will take the following to repair the CJ heads

weld broken stud boss and machine $150
surface heads $80
valve job $200

Total $420 + $240 purchase = $660 (provided nothing else is worn out)

cost of a new set of SCJ's from Lem $1154

total difference $594

I can personally attest that Dave is working out of a storage unit at the moment. When he ported my heads for me, it was done at another machine shop that he bartered time to have access to port them for me. I paid for the shop time and materials. It's all about finding the right place and getting to know the machine shop guys. When I put my bottom end together, my machinist said the longer I left the block there, the cheaper it would be for him to machine all the parts and put it together. Needless to say, I only paid just under $600 for a balanced and asembled short block!

Long story short, hitting the 600hp mark CAN be done for around $3000 if you spend the time finding the right deals and make the connections to get the needed work done.

I'll be watching this closely waiting for the final outcome!

similar combo i had.


472, stock crank, stock rod w arp bolts, trw dome piston, dove c head, barley flowed 300, flat tappet .631/.631 258/262, stock victor, alky 1050 carb............10.40's all day in the heat, 29.5 10.5 (non W ), c4, decent converter................3375#s

even buying the intake and ATI balancer new I had less than 3 grand in the deal.

Had no internet to read on or any outside informational help, local machinst did the heads, same guy we have been dyno our motors....old roundy round guy with a preference for Fords.


Alum heads and a roller stick that turd would have ran in the 9's..........come to think of it it did...........

I am curious of the build, I am doing one similar. Its a 460 bored .030 over with L2443 pistons, eagle SIR rods, D3VE heads ported by me with 2.25 and 1.76 valves with factory cj intake and exhaust manifolds. I think you can do it for $2000 around here. I think 600 may be a little hard for me with the D3 heads.

pistons $100
rings $80
rods $220
bearing $75
balance $210
rebuild heads with new stainless valves $500
block bored $50
crank polished $40
everything else came with the block and just cleaned it all up (traded block for putting an engine in a truck so it was kind of free)
gasket kit $80

total $1355

I have had the manifold and cam for a few years, but I bought them for
cj cast intake $125
cj exhaust manifolds $500
cam new $280 broke in for me, but a used one would be about $100
already had 1.73 roller rockers, rocker arm studs, guide plates

johndickjr wrote:well i think he said..i am going to try and build a 600hp for cheap..the main thing is "HE" not you or me or joe blow down the road...you can take 5 people and build the exact same motor and have 5 different amounts of money in them

Well I figured the whole idea was inspired by this post that g612gr started so to me it was more of a generic "600 hspr for $3000" type post.

dfree383 wrote:Nothing Bad Taken, But I happen to run accross deals all the time and that one wasn't a once in a life time...............Would you Rather me use the Iron CJ's I got for $250, that was an Ebay Deal Last Year or How about I port a set of DOVE's I can typical get those for well under $200 in good condition (I just did a set for Kjett), I also have a set of Edelbrocks that come off a car of mine? I just figured the Aluminum CJ's would be cool to recycle.

Only thing i posses that alot of people don't is the desire to learn and make things happen, my tool box is no better than most others on here, my access to machine work is the same as yours, You had the same oppertunity to purchase the CJ heads as I did. Plus I don't own any big equipment and in fact right now I'll be building this motor out of a storage unit. I don't even own a home right now (Apartment Living SUCKS).

Some people just have a knack for being in the right place at the right time so I am glad you manage to find all these good deals. By the time I seen the the ad for those heads there was a page of replies and they were already deleted. LOL.

I remember those days of apartment living and working in parking lots, yuk. I feel for you!

Good luck with the build.

dfree383 wrote:Just for reference, i'm figuring it will take the following to repair the CJ heads

weld broken stud boss and machine $150
surface heads $80
valve job $200

Total $420 + $240 purchase = $660 (provided nothing else is worn out)

cost of a new set of SCJ's from Lem $1154

total difference $594

Stud boss won't cost you that much, looks like a real easy fix. Valve job wasn't old at all on those heads. I also send what intake valves I got back with those heads.

Ordered a Custom Soild FT from Cam Research Yesterday, Scott Main is an awsome guy to deal with and a fellow EMC compeditor

Cost $175

I'm going to get with Lem to get some rocker studs, retainers, locators and Locks to finish off the parts chasing for the top end.

Next I'm going to get the heads to Blake for the welding repair and see about getting the block machined.

dfree383 wrote:my tool box is no better than most others on here

I like that!!!

I love what you are trying to do, keep up the cheap work Dave

dfree383 wrote: my tool box is no better than most others on here,

pics please...LOL

Snowball Racing wrote:

dfree383 wrote:Just for reference, i'm figuring it will take the following to repair the CJ heads

weld broken stud boss and machine $150
surface heads $80
valve job $200

Total $420 + $240 purchase = $660 (provided nothing else is worn out)

cost of a new set of SCJ's from Lem $1154

total difference $594

Stud boss won't cost you that much, looks like a real easy fix. Valve job wasn't old at all on those heads. I
also send what intake valves I got back with those heads.

I'd agree, but if I get to tight with the $$ the peanut gallery will scream foul..... Thanks for the extra parts it was a pleasure doing business with you Robert.

Got a local guy selling a mallory unilite w/ vac advance for $80, I think he's the same guy I got mine from. LMK if you want me to get ahold of him for you.

I've got an old duraspark i'm going to workover, but thanks for the help.

Gonna hitch a ride on this!! Very cool project Dave.

Judging by the economy, this is quite timely!!

Bill

Just ordered spring locators, retainers, locks and studs from Lem, will post the price when I get the invoice.

Looks like a cool build Dave. To me, it's no different than how I've done my truck over the last couple of years. I know a few people that own their own businesses, that are willing to help out my cause, so most of my total build has cost me little or nothing. Sponsorship is very cool indeed. So far, my current rebuild on my truck has cost me nothing but daylight.

Keep up the build. I'd bet it'll make your projected HP, maybe more.





Doug...